Fed Chairman Bernanke pays a surprise visit to class

Published: 2011-06-07

Bernanke visits Fisher

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60 Minutes Interview

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke held a "Conversation on the Economy" in Fisher's Pfahl Hall and met with Fisher's Honors Cohort students on Nov. 30. The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business was selected by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland to host the chairman for a dialogue with CEOs of large multinational corporations as well as Columbus-area medium to small business leaders.

A highlight of Chairman Bernanke's visit was an unannounced morning visit to Fisher's Honors Cohort class in Schoenbaum Hall. During the discussion, Chairman Bernanke talked with students about the economy, asked students to describe current coursework and inquired about summer internship plans. Chairman Bernanke was accompanied by Dean Christine A. Poon and Sandra Pianalto, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland.

"In advance of his visit, the chairman had taken the time to learn about a philanthropic project the students are currently engaged in," said Nancy Lahmers, director of the Honors Cohort program. "He engaged the students in discussion and was genuinely interested in their projects, interests in non-profits and asked students about their summer internships."

While on campus, a video crew from the CBS news show 60 Minutes followed Fed Chair Ben Bernanke while he was on the Fisher campus. The crew, taped him meeting with the Honors Cohort class and during the panel discussion in Pfahl Hall. The one-on-one interview with the reporter was taped at Thompson Library.